Round-Table Discussion
The environmental impact of the war on the Black Sea
27 May 2026
On Friday 22 May 2026, the International Centre for Black Sea Studies (ICBSS) in cooperation with the Research Service of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, organised successfully the Round-Table Discussion “The environmental impact of the war on the Black Sea”, held in a hybrid format, in Athens, Greece.
On the occasion of the official visit of the delegation of the Research Service of the Verkhovna Rada in Athens, the event aimed to raise awareness on the direct and indirect environmental impact of military activities and mobilise stakeholders in efforts to safeguard the ecological value and economic resilience of the Black Sea. The event gathered 50 online and onsite participants, mainly from policy and academia.
Key takeaways:
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- The Black Sea basin faces a war-induced environmental crisis with both ecological and socioeconomic implications.
- The environmental impact of the war extends beyond the Ukrainian borders, to affect the entire Black Sea region and waterways linking the Mediterranean Sea and the Danube
- War-related environmental pressures aggravate existing stressors in the Black Sea. The full extent of the consequences is not entirely visible yet and is likely to affect future generations.
- Indirect implications include the weakening, or even suspension, of systematic research and analysis, as well as of monitoring systems, resulting in limited responsive measures and enforcement of safety regulations.
- A collective response that prioritises environmental recovery alongside humanitarian and political solutions is already needed.
- Priority should be given on facilitating continuous cooperation and knowledge exchange among the scientific communities within the Black Sea, as well as with other regions, such as the Baltic Sea.
- Science advocacy will support policy and decision-makers to focus efforts where are most needed.
- Institutional engagement and cross-border synergies are pivotal for effective recovery and mitigation actions to have measurable results.
Read the full Press-release HERE
Watch the Event HERE
For more information HERE
